U.S. patent number 10,387,610 [Application Number 16/014,521] was granted by the patent office on 2019-08-20 for motor configuration selection device, motor configuration selection method, and recording medium.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FANUC CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is FANUC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Suguru Takamizawa.
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United States Patent |
10,387,610 |
Takamizawa |
August 20, 2019 |
Motor configuration selection device, motor configuration selection
method, and recording medium
Abstract
In order to more appropriately select a configuration of a
linear motor, a motor configuration selection device includes a
specification information acquisition unit that acquires
information on specifications of components of a linear motor; a
compatibility condition setting unit that sets a compatibility
condition for an intended device configuration the linear motor; an
evaluation result acquisition unit that acquires an evaluation
result for each device configuration of the linear motor that is
compatible with the compatibility condition on the basis of preset
criteria; and a candidate presentation unit that presents, on the
basis of the evaluation result, information on a candidate device
configuration for selecting the device configuration of the linear
motor.
Inventors: |
Takamizawa; Suguru (Yamanashi,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FANUC CORPORATION |
Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
FANUC CORPORATION (Yamanashi,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
64951462 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/014,521 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190026420 A1 |
Jan 24, 2019 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
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Jul 19, 2017 [JP] |
|
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2017-140216 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
30/17 (20200101); G06F 30/00 (20200101); H02K
11/20 (20160101); H02K 41/02 (20130101); G06F
30/15 (20200101); H02K 41/03 (20130101); H02K
2213/03 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
17/50 (20060101); H02K 11/20 (20160101); H02K
41/02 (20060101); H02K 41/03 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;318/490,34 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2006-136050 |
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May 2006 |
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JP |
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2012-141858 |
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Jul 2012 |
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JP |
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2013/014780 |
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Jan 2013 |
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WO |
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Other References
Notification of Reasons for Refusal dated May 7, 2019 in
corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-140216. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Luo; David
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack,
L.L.P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A motor configuration selection device, comprising: a
specification information acquisition unit that acquires
information on specifications of components of a linear motor; a
compatibility condition setting unit that sets a compatibility
condition for an intended device configuration of the linear motor;
an evaluation result acquisition unit that acquires an evaluation
result for each device configuration of the linear motor that is
compatible with the compatibility conditions on the basis of preset
criteria; and a candidate presentation unit that presents, on the
basis of the evaluation result, information on a candidate device
configuration for selecting the device configuration of the linear
motor.
2. The motor configuration selection device according to claim 1,
wherein the specifications of the components of the linear motor
include specifications of at least one field coil portion that can
be selected for the device configuration of the linear motor.
3. The motor configuration selection device according to claim 1,
wherein the compatibility condition setting unit sets, as the
compatibility condition for the intended device configuration of
the linear motor, any one of a condition that a length of a
combination of components of the linear motor is equal to or larger
than a length determined as the intended device configuration of
the linear motor; a condition that a length of a combination of
components of the linear motor is equal to or smaller than the
length determined as the intended device configuration of the
linear motor; and a condition that an absolute value of a
difference between the length of the combination of components of
the linear motor and the length determined as the intended device
configuration of the linear motor is equal to or less than a preset
value.
4. The motor configuration selection device according to claim 1,
further comprising: a priority setting unit that sets priorities to
a plurality of the preset criteria; and an evaluation result
compensation unit that compensates the evaluation result in the
device configuration of the linear motor that is compatible with
the compatibility condition on the basis of the priorities, wherein
the candidate presentation unit presents information on the
candidate device configuration for selecting the device
configuration of the linear motor on the basis of the evaluation
result compensated by the evaluation result compensation unit.
5. The motor configuration selection device according to claim 4,
wherein the plurality of preset criteria includes: a combination of
the components in which the total number of the components of the
linear motor is the smallest; a combination of the components in
which the total number of the components of the linear motor is the
largest; a combination of the components in which variation in the
components of the linear motor is the smallest; and a combination
of the components in which total cost is the lowest.
6. The motor configuration selection device according to claim 1,
further comprising: a specifying condition reception unit that
accepts a setting of placing a specific component of the linear
motor at a specific position of the intended linear motor device
configuration.
7. A motor configuration selection method, comprising the steps of:
acquiring information on specifications of components of a linear
motor; setting a compatibility condition for an intended device
configuration of the linear motor; acquiring an evaluation result
for each device configuration of the linear motor compatible with
the compatibility condition on the basis of preset criteria; and
presenting, on the basis of the evaluation result, information on a
candidate device configuration for selecting the device
configuration of the linear motor.
8. A non-volatile recording medium storing a program for causing a
computer to execute: a function of acquiring information on
specifications of components of a linear motor; a function of
setting a compatibility condition for an intended device
configuration of the linear motor; a function of acquiring an
evaluation result for each device configuration of the linear motor
compatible with the compatibility condition on the basis of preset
criteria; and a function of presenting, on the basis of the
evaluation result, information on a candidate device configuration
for selecting the device configuration of the linear motor.
Description
This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority
from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-140216, filed on Jun. 19,
2017, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor configuration selection
device, a motor configuration selection method, and a recording
medium.
Related Art
Conventionally, a combination of effective stroke and length of a
field coil that generates a magnetic field, for example, is
determined in accordance with required specifications and the like
when selecting the configuration of a linear motor. A technology
for selecting the configuration of a linear motor is described in,
for example, Patent Literature 1.
Patent Document 1: PCT International Publication No.
WO2013/014780
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
However, when designing a linear motor, a variety of field coils
having different dimensions exist, and hence an appropriate
configuration for a linear motor is not always achieved, even when
a combination of field coils compatible with, for example, intended
effective stroke has been determined, because there are too many
field coils, or for other reasons.
It is an object of the present invention to more appropriately
select a configuration of a linear motor.
(1) A motor configuration selection device (for example, a motor
configuration selection device 1 to be described later) according
to one aspect of the present invention includes: a specification
information acquisition unit (for example, an internal data
generation unit 11c to be described later) that acquires
information on specifications of components of a linear motor;
a compatibility condition setting unit (for example, a condition
setting unit 11b to be described later) that sets a compatibility
condition for an intended device configuration of the linear
motor;
an evaluation result acquisition unit (for example, a score setting
unit lid to be described later) that acquires an evaluation result
for each device configuration of the linear motor that is
compatible with the compatibility condition on the basis of preset
criteria; and
a candidate presentation unit (for example, a total score
calculation unit 11g to be described later) that presents, on the
basis of the evaluation result, information on a candidate device
configuration for selecting the device configuration of the linear
motor.
(2) In the motor configuration selection device of (1), the
specifications of the components of the linear motor may include
specifications of at least one field coil portion that can be
selected for the device configuration of the linear motor.
(3) In the motor configuration selection device of (1) or (2), the
compatibility condition setting unit may set, as the compatibility
condition for the intended device configuration of the linear
motor, any one of a condition that a length of a combination of the
components of the linear motor is equal to or larger than a length
determined as the intended device configuration of the linear
motor; a condition that a length of a combination of the components
of the linear motor is equal to or smaller than the length
determined as the intended device configuration of the linear
motor; and a condition that an absolute value of a difference
between a length of a combination of the components of the linear
motor and the length determined as the intended device
configuration of the linear motor is equal to or less than a preset
value.
(4) In the motor configuration selection device of (1) to (3), the
motor configuration selection device may further include a priority
setting unit (for example, an important requirement setting unit
11e to be described later) that sets priorities to a plurality of
the preset criteria; and an evaluation result compensation unit
(for example, a weighting processing unit 11f to be described
later) that compensates the evaluation result in the device
configuration of the linear motor that is compatible with the
compatibility condition on the basis of the priorities, in which
the candidate presentation unit may present information on the
candidate device configuration for selecting the device
configuration of the linear motor on the basis of the evaluation
result compensated by the evaluation result compensation unit.
(5) In the motor configuration selection on device of (4), the
plurality of preset criteria may include: a combination of the
components in which the total number of the components of the
linear motor is the smallest; a combination of the components in
which the total number of the components of the linear motor is the
largest; a combination of the components in which variation in the
components of the linear motor is the smallest, and a combination
of the components in which total cost is the lowest.
(6) In the motor configuration selection device of (1) to (5), the
motor configuration selection device may further include a
specifying condition reception unit (for example, a UI display
control unit 11a to be described later) that accepts a setting of
placing a specific component of the linear motor at a specific
position in the intended device configuration of the linear
motor.
(7) In addition, a motor configuration selection method according
to one aspect of the present invention includes the steps of:
acquiring information on specifications of components of a linear
motor;
setting a compatibility condition for an intended device
configuration of the linear motor;
acquiring an evaluation result for each device configuration of the
linear motor compatible with the compatibility condition on the
basis of preset criteria; and presenting, on the basis of the
evaluation result, information on a candidate device configuration
for selecting the device configuration of the linear motor.
(8) In addition, a program according to one aspect of the present
invention causes a computer to execute:
a function of acquiring information on specifications of components
of a linear motor;
a function of setting a compatibility condition for an intended
device configuration of the linear motor;
a function of acquiring an evaluation result for each device
configuration of the linear motor compatible with the compatibility
condition on the basis of preset criteria; and
a function of presenting, on the basis of the evaluation result,
information on a candidate device configuration for selecting the
device configuration of the linear motor.
According to the present invention, a configuration of a linear
motor can be more appropriately selected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration of a
motor configuration selection device according to one embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram for illustrating a configuration of
a linear motor to be selected by the motor configuration selection
device.
FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram for ilustrating specifications of
components of the linear motor to be selected by the motor
configuration selection device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for illustrating contents of a model
information DB.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for illustrating contents of an
internal data group DB.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining flow of motor configuration
selection processing performed by the motor configuration selection
device.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an exemplary UI
screen that is displayed when Selection Criterion (5) is
selected.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention is described below with
reference to the drawings.
[Configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration of a
motor configuration selection device 1 according to one embodiment
of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the motor
configuration selection device 1 includes a central processing unit
(CPU) 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an input unit 14, a display unit 15,
a storage unit 16, and a communication unit 17.
FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram for illustrating a configuration of
a linear motor to be selected by the motor configuration selection
device 1, and FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram for illustrating
specifications of components of the linear motor to be selected by
the motor configuration selection device 1. As illustrated in FIGS.
2A and 2B, a model "A" linear motor is described herein as an
example. It is assumed that the model "A" linear motor is provided
with field coils having k types of field coil specifications (model
numbers) a.sub.M1 to a.sub.Mk. In addition, the lengths of the
field coils a.sub.M1 to a.sub.Mk are assumed to be X.sub.M1 to
X.sub.Mk, respectively. In a similar manner, it is assumed that the
model "A" linear motor is provided with armatures having n types of
armature specifications (model numbers) a.sub.C1 to a.sub.Cn, and
that the drive direction dimensions of those armatures are X.sub.C1
to X.sub.Cn, respectively. The length of the armature portion (if
an attachment component is mounted around the armature, then the
length. of the armature including this component) in the linear
motor is defined as L1, the track length of the field coil portion
is defined as L2, and an effective stroke Le is defined as
Le=L2-L1.
In FIG. 1, the CPU 11 executes various programs stored in the
storage unit 16, to thereby control the entire motor configuration
selection device 1. For example, the CPU 11 executes a program for
performing processing of selecting a configuration of the linear
motor (hereinafter referred to as "motor configuration selection
processing"). By executing the program for performing the motor
configuration selection processing, a UI display control unit 11a
(specifying condition reception unit), a condition setting unit 11b
(compatibility condition setting unit), an internal data generation
unit 11c (specfication information acquisition unit), a score
setting unit 11d (evaluation result acquisition unit), an important
requirement setting unit 11e (priority setting unit), a weighting
processing unit 11f (evaluation result compensation unit), a total
score calculation unit 11g (candidate presentation unit), an
arrangement processing unit 11h, and a configuration determination
unit 11i are formed in the CPU 11 as the functional configuration
of the CPU 11.
In the motor configuration selection processing, the UI display
control unit 11a displays a user interface screen (UI screen) to
allow a user to input/output various types of information. For
example, the UI display control unit 11a displays a combination of
field coils in an internal data group for which the total score
calculation unit 11g to be described later has calculated the
highest score, and displays that information in a format the user
can understand. Further, in the motor configuration selection
processing, the UI display control unit 11a receives input from the
user for placing a specific field coil at a specific position in a
stroke.
In the motor configuration selection processing, the condition
setting unit 11b sets a condition relating to the linear motor for
which a configuration is to be selected. For example, the condition
setting unit 11b sets an effective stroke of the linear motor for
which a configuration is to be selected in accordance with the
input from the user, or sets a condition (hereinafter referred to
as "compatible effective stroke condition") that, where X.sub.Mi
denotes the length of each field coil and N.sub.mi denotes the
number of field coils, a total length .SIGMA.X.sub.MiN.sub.Mi
(1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.k) of a plurality of selected field coils must
satisfy an intended effective stroke.
In this embodiment, because there is a possibility that the total
length .SIGMA.X.sub.MiN.sub.Mi of the plurality of selected field
coils may not match the intended effective stroke, the condition
setting unit 11b displays the following conditions A to C on the UI
screen as compatible effective stroke conditions. Then, when the
user performs an operation (checking a checkbox or the like) of
selecting any of these conditions, the condition setting unit 11b
sets the selected compatible effective stroke condition and
calculates a parameter (a "compatible effective stroke La" or a
"difference Lb" to be described later) to be used as the compatible
effective stroke condition.
(Compatible Effective Stroke Conditions)
Condition A: Calculate a combination of field coils within a range
equal to or below the desired effective stroke.
Condition B: Calculate a combination of field coils within a range
equal to or above the desired effective stroke.
Condition C: Calculate a combination of field coils that has the
closest numerical value to the desired effective stroke.
The compatible effective stroke condition is a necessary setting
condition when performing the motor configuration selection
processing. In this embodiment, control is performed so that
processing does not proceed to later stages unless the user sets
any of the compatible effective stroke conditions. Apart from
requiring the user to select the compatible effective stroke
condition, the motor configuration selection device 1 may select
any of the compatible effective stroke conditions (for example, an
existing compatible effective stroke condition is selected
automatically if the user does not select any compatible effective
stroke condition). Alternatively, any one of the compatible
effective stroke conditions A to C may be selected as a default
condition (for example, a checkbox is in a checked state). If the
compatible effective stroke condition is to be selected, only one
condition must be selected. Therefore, when one of the compatible
effective stroke conditions is selected, selection of an already
selected compatible effective stroke condition is canceled when
another compatible effective stroke condition is selected.
In this embodiment, when the condition A is selected, the condition
setting unit 11b sets the compatible effective stroke La within the
range of 0<La.ltoreq.Le, and calculates the corresponding
compatible field coil portion track length L2a using L2a=La+L1. The
compatible effective stroke La represents an effective stroke that
satisfies the compatible effective stroke condition, and the
compatible field coil portion track length L2a represents a track
length of the field coil portion that satisfies the compatible
effective stroke condition.
In this embodiment, when the condition B is selected, the condition
setting unit 11b sets the compatible effective stroke La within the
range of Le.ltoreq.La.ltoreq.Le+.DELTA. and calculates the
corresponding compatible field coil portion track length L2a using
L2a=La+L1. The variable .DELTA. represents an upper limit value of
a difference in stroke lengths preset, by the user within the range
of .DELTA.>0. In this embodiment, when the condition C is
selected, the condition setting unit 11b calculates the difference
Lb between the total length of the plurality of selected field
coils and the intended effective stroke using the following
formula:
Lb=|.SIGMA.X.sub.MiN.sub.Mi-Le-L1|(1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.k)
The internal data generation unit 11c refers to a model information
DB 16a (described later) in the storage unit 16 to specify various
combinations (hereinafter referred to as "internal data groups") of
field coils that are compatible with a condition set by the
condition setting unit 11b. Then, the internal data generation unit
11c stores information on the specified internal data groups in an
internal data group DB 16b (described later) in the storage unit
16. For example, the number of used field coils having field coil
specifications a.sub.M1 to a.sub.Mk, the total number of field
coils, the number of field coil variations, the total cost, Le to
La or La to Le (error between the effective stroke Le and the
compatible effective stroke La), and Lb (difference between the
total length of the plurality of selected field coils and the
intended effective stroke) are stored as the information on the
internal data groups.
In this embodiment, when the condition A is selected, the internal
data generation unit 11c stores, as the internal data group, a
combination of the field coil specifications and the number of used
field coils corresponding to the compatible field coil portion
track length L2a. in this embodiment, when the condition B is
selected, the internal data generation unit 11c stores a
combination of the field coil specifications corresponding to the
compatible field coil portion track length L2a and the total number
of field coil specifications as the internal data group.
In this embodiment, when the condition C is selected, the internal
data generation unit 11c stores all combinations of field coils
with which the difference Lb between the total length of the
plurality of selected field coils and the effective stroke is at a
minimum, and the number of field coils as the internal data groups.
However, this excludes any combinations that satisfy the equation
.SIGMA.X.sub.MiN.sub.Mi-L1.ltoreq.0(1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.k).
For each internal data group generated by the internal data
generation unit 11c, the score setting unit 11d sets a score
indicating an evaluation result on the basis of various evaluation
criteria for selecting a field coil. For example, the score setting
unit 11d sets a score for each internal data group such that an
internal data group having a smaller total number of field coils
has a lower score. A type of score set in this way is classified as
a score type T1.
Further, the score setting unit 11d sets a score for each internal
data group such that an internal data group having fewer field coil
variations has a higher score. A type of score set in this way is
classified as a score type T2. The score setting unit 11d sets a
score for each internal data group such that an internal data group
having a lower total cost has a higher score. A type of score set
in this way is classified as a score type T3.
When the condition A is selected, the score setting unit 11d sets a
score such that a higher score is set for a smaller value of error
(Le-La) between the effective stroke Le and the compatible
effective stroke La. A type of score set in this way is classified
as a score type t4. When the condition B is selected, the score
setting unit 11d sets a score such that a higher score is set for a
smaller value of error (La-Le) between the compatible effective
stroke La and the effective stroke Le. A type of score set in this
way is classified as a score type T5.
When the condition C is selected, the score setting unit 11d sets a
score such that a higher score is set for a smaller value of the
difference Lb between the total length of the plurality of selected
field coils and the intended effective stroke. A type of score set
in this way is classified as a score type T6. In this embodiment,
it is assumed that the methods of setting each of the score types
T1 to T6 are the same. As one example of such a method, there is
given a method of setting the score of the internal data group with
the highest score to Tmax and decreasing the scores of internal
data groups having second and lower scores in order by a score
interval d (d>0).
The important requirement setting unit lie accepts configuration of
Selection Criteria (Selection Criteria prioritized by the user) to
be prioritized when selecting the field coil. In this embodiment,
for example, the following Selection Criteria (1) to (5) are set as
the selection criteria to be prioritized when selecting the field
coil.
(Selection Criteria)
Selection Criterion (1) Combination of field coils having a minimum
total number of field coils
Selection Criterion (2) Combination of field coils having a maximum
total number of field coils
Selection Criterion (3) Combination of field. coils having fewest
field coil variations
Selection Criterion (4) Combination of field coils having lowest
total cost
Selection Criterion (5) Combination of field coils under the
condition (specification criterion) that a specific field coil is
arranged at a specific position
The important requirement setting unit 11e displays the Selection
Criteria (1) to (5) on the UI screen and accepts input of priority
setting for each of these selection criteria. In this embodiment,
equal setting for the priority (for example, a plurality of
selection criteria is equally set to the highest priority) is
permitted. In addition, selection criteria for which a priority has
not been set are excluded from consideration in this embodiment. In
this embodiment, when the Selection Criterion (5) is selected,
input for further setting priority of the Selection Criteria (1) to
(4) is accepted for every plurality of strokes divided by a
specific field coil arranged at a specific position.
The weighting processing unit 11f performs weighting processing
(compensation) on the scores of each internal data group set by the
score setting unit 11d on the basis of the priority setting for the
selection criteria accepted by the important requirement setting
unit 11e. As an example, when a priority Ri (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.5)
is set for the Selection Criterion (1), the weighting processing
unit 11f sets the lowest score type T1 of each internal data group
set by the score setting unit 11d to -Tmax and adds the score
interval d in order of increasing score, to thereby reset the
score. In addition, the weighting processing unit 11f multiplies
the reset score of each internal data group by a weight W.sub.Ri
and stores the result as a weighting score type T1a.sub.Ri in a
weighting score DB 16c in the storage unit 16.
When the priority Ri (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.5) is set for the Selection
Criterion (2), the weighting processing unit 11f multiplies the
score type T1 of each internal data group set by the score setting
unit 11d by the weight W.sub.Ri and stores the result as a
weighting score type T1b.sub.Ri in the weighting score DB 16c in
the storage unit 16. When the priority Ri (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.5) is
set for the Selection Criterion (3), the weighting processing unit
11f multiplies the score type T2 of each internal data group set by
the score setting unit 11d by the weight W.sub.Ri and stores the
result as a weighting score type T2b.sub.Ri in the weighting score
DB 16c in the storage unit 16.
When the priority Ri (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.5) is set for the Selection
Criterion (4), the weighting processing unit 11f multiplies the
score type T3 of each internal data group set by the score setting
unit 11d by the weight W.sub.Ri and stores the result as a
weighting score type T3b.sub.Ri in the weighting score DB 16c in
the storage unit 16.
When the priority Ri (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.5) is set for the Selection
Criterion (5), the weighting processing unit 11f performs
weighting, for example, on the score types T1 to T3 per plurality
of strokes divided by a specific field coil arranged at a specific
position. In other words, when the Selection Criterion (5) is
selected, the weighting processing unit 11f resets the above scores
or multiplies the above scores by the weight W.sub.Ri per each
divided stroke. Then, the weighting processing unit 11f averages
(weight-averages) the weighted scores in accordance with a ratio of
each stroke to the total effective stroke, to thereby store the
weighted average result as a total weighting score type T5.sub.Ri
in the weighting score DB 16c in the storage unit 16.
The total score calculation unit 11g adds together the weighting
score types stored in the weighting score DB 16c for each internal
data group to calculate a total score S for each internal data
group. As an example, the total score S for each internal data
group is calculated by adding together the weighting score types
T1a.sub.Ri, T2b.sub.Ri, T3.sub.Ri, and T5.sub.Ri stored in the
weighting score DB 16c for each internal data group. Any selection
criteria for which a priority has not been set by the important
requirement setting unit 11e is excluded from consideration because
no weighting score type has been calculated therefor.
The total score calculation unit 11g sorts the internal data groups
in descending order of the total score S and displays a combination
of field coils having an internal data group with the highest total
score S on the UI screen. In addition to the internal data group
with the highest total score S, the total score calculation unit
11g may display a plurality of combinations of field coils of
internal data groups, such as a combination of field coils of an
internal data group with the second largest total score S, a
combination of field coils of an internal data group with the third
largest total score S, and so on.
The arrangement processing unit 11h determines a candidate
arrangement of the field coils on the basis of the combination of
field coils indicated by the internal data groups. For example, the
arrangement processing unit 11h determines the candidate
arrangement of the field coils in accordance with a preset
arrangement policy (for example, mixing different types of field
coils and placing them more evenly) for combinations of field coil
arrangements indicated by the internal data group for which the
highest total score S has been calculated by the total score
calculation unit 11g. Then, the arrangement processing unit 11h
displays the determined candidate arrangement of the field coils on
the UI screen.
When the candidate arrangement of the field coils determined by the
arrangement processing unit 11h is selected by a user on the UI
screen, the configuration determination unit 11i determines the
selected candidate arrangement of the field coil as the
configuration of the linear motor. Then, the configuration
determination unit 11i stores the determined linear motor
configuration in a selection result DB 16d.
In FIG. 1, various system programs for controlling the motor
configuration selection device 1 are pre-written into the ROM 12.
The RAM 13 is configured of a semiconductor memory such as a
dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and stores data generated when.
the CPU 11 performs various types of processing. The input unit 14
is configured of an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse, or
a touch sensor, and accepts various types of information input to
the motor configuration selection device 1.
The display unit 15 is configured of a display device such as a
liquid crystal display (LCD) and displays various processing
results of the motor configuration selection device 1. The storage
unit 16 is configured of an nonvolatile storage device such as a
hard disk or flash memory and stores programs and the like used for
the motor configuration selection processing. In addition, the
storage unit 16 stores the model information database (model
information DB) 16a for storing information on components (field
coil, armature, etc.) that make up a model of the linear motor, the
internal data group database (internal data group DB) 16b for
storing data on each internal data group generated by the internal
data generation. unit 11c, the weighting score database (weighting
score DB) 16c for storing the score of each internal data group
weighted by the weighting processing unit 11f, and the selection
result database (selection result DB) 16d.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for illustrating contents of the
model information DB 16a. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the model
information DB 16a stores various types of information including
model numbers or prices of the components (field coil, armature,
etc.) that make up the model of the linear motor. FIG. 4 is a
schematic diagram for illustrating contents of the internal data
group DB 16b. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the internal data group DB
16b stores data on each internal data group generated by the
internal data generation unit 11c. For example, as the data on each
internal data group, the internal data group DB 16b stores the
number of used field coils with the field coil specifications
a.sub.M1 to a.sub.Mk, the total number of field coils, the number
of field coil variations, the total cost, Le-La or Le-La (error
between effective stroke Le and compatible effective stroke La), Lb
(difference between total length of the plurality of selected field
coils and the intended effective stroke), and others.
In FIG. 1, the communication unit 17 includes a communication
interface that performs signal processing on the basis of a
predetermined communication standard such as wired/wireless LAN or
USB, and controls communication between the motor configuration
selection device 1 and other devices.
[Operation]
Next, operation of the motor configuration selection device 1 is
described.
[Motor Configuration Selection Processing]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining flow of the motor
configuration selection processing performed by the motor
configuration selection device 1. The motor configuration selection
processing starts when a command for starting the motor
configuration selection processing is input via the input unit
14.
In Step S1, the UI display control unit 11a displays the UI screen
to allow the user to input/output various types of information
during the motor configuration selection processing. In Step S2,
the condition setting unit 11b sets the effective stroke of the
near motor for which a configuration is to be selected based on
input by the user. In Step S3, the condition setting unit 11b sets
the compatible effective stroke condition based on input by the
user.
In Step S4, the condition setting unit 11b calculates a parameter
(compatible effective stroke La, difference Lb, etc.) to be used
with the compatible effective stroke condition. In Step S5, the
internal data generation unit 11c refers to the model information
DB 16a in the storage unit 16 to specify various combinations
(internal data groups) of field coils that meet the condition using
the condition set by the condition setting unit 11b. Information on
the specified internal data group is stored in the internal data
group DB 16b in the storage unit 16.
In Step S6, the score setting unit 11d sets a score (score type)
indicating an evaluation result, for each internal data group
generated by the internal data generation unit 11c in accordance
with various evaluation criteria for selecting the field coil. In
Step S7, the important requirement setting unit 11e accepts setting
of the selection criteria (selection criteria prioritized by the
user) that are prioritized when selecting the field coil.
In Step S8, the weighting processing unit 11f performs weighting
processing on the score of each internal data group set by the
score setting unit 11d on the basis of the priority setting
relative to the selection criteria accepted by the important
requirement setting unit 11e to acquire a weighting score type. The
acquired weighting score type is stored in the weighting score DB
16c in the storage unit 16. In Step S9, the total score calculation
unit 11g adds together the weighting score types stored in the
weighting score DB 16c for each internal data group to calculate
the total score S for each internal data group.
In Step S10, the total score calculation unit 11g displays a
combination of field coils having an internal data group with the
highest total score S on the UI screen. In Step S11, the
arrangement processing unit 11h displays a candidate arrangement of
the field coils on the UI screen. In Step S12, the configuration
determination unit 11i accepts user selection of the candidate
arrangement of the field coils displayed on the UI screen. In Step
S13, the configuration determination unit 11i determines the
selected candidate arrangement of the field coils as the
configuration of the linear motor. The determined linear motor
configuration is stored in the selection result DB 16d. After Step
S13, the motor configuration selection processing ends.
As described above, the motor configuration selection device 1
according to this embodiment sets a compatible effective stroke
condition that must satisfy the intended effective stroke, and
specifies combinations (internal data groups) of various field
coils and armatures that configure the linear motor model. In
addition, the motor configuration selection device 1 sets a score
indicating evaluation results for each internal data group
evaluated with various evaluation criteria and weights the scores
in accordance with the selection criteria prioritized by the user.
Then, the motor configuration selection device 1 displays the
combination of field coils represented by the internal data group
having a high total score S obtained by adding together the
weighted scores, and the field coil arrangement determined from the
combination of field coils. In addition, the motor configuration
selection device 1 determines the configuration of the linear motor
on the basis of selection by the user. Therefore, in terms of
combination of field coils that are compatible with a condition
such as the effective stroke, combinations of field coils that
achieve a more appropriate configuration can be presented to the
user. As a result, with the motor configuration selection device 1,
it is possible to more appropriately select a configuration of the
linear motor.
[Modification Example 1]
In the above-described embodiment, when the Selection Criterion (5)
is selected, input for further setting priority of the Selection
Criteria (1) to (4) is accepted per plurality of strokes divided by
a specific field coil arranged at a specific position.
Alternatively, the following method may be used to determine the
arrangement of the field coils when the Selection Criterion (5) is
selected. It is assumed that the internal group data is generated
as described in the above-described embodiment before the following
procedure is carried out.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an exemplary UI
screen that is displayed when the Selection Criteron (5) selected.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the Selection Criterion (5) is
selected, the UI display control unit 11a displays a UI screen
including a section SC1 in which selectable field coil
specifications are displayed, a section SC2 that includes the
entire track length of the field coil portion and in which an area
for placing the field coil is displayed, and a section SC3 in which
a button for inputting determination of the arrangement is
displayed. A check box indicating whether the left side or the
right side is the start point of the field coil track is also
displayed in the section SC2 above the entire track length of the
field coil portion. Then, the user performs the following procedure
to arrange the field coil.
(Step 1) In the section SC1, the user selects the field coil to be
arranged (the UI display control unit 11a has a display form in
which an image of the field coil is attached to a mouse cursor
corresponding to the selection operation). (Step 2) The user moves
the mouse cursor to the section SC2 and checks either one of the
checkboxes indicating the start point of the field coil track (this
step may be performed before Step 1).
(Step 3) the user arranges the field coil selected in the section
SC1 within the entire field coil track length in the section SC2,
provided that the position at which the field coil can be arranged
cannot be arbitrarily selected by the user and is limited to a
predetermined position determined on the basis of combinations of
field coils of each internal data group generated in the
above-described embodiment. In other words, in Step 3, the
arrangement processing unit 11h refers to each internal data group
to specify all cases of which field coil is arranged at which
position. Then, the arrangement processing unit 11h stores
arrangement position information on each field coil for data on all
the specified cases (hereinafter referred to as "all arrangement
data"). Correspondence relationships indicating which internal data
group each of the all arrangement data corresponds to are also
stored with the all arrangement data.
The UI display control unit 11a refers to the arrangement position
information on each field coil for the all arrangement data; and
the user is required to confirm the arrangement position of the
field coil when the field coil is arranged at a possible
arrangement position. When the user performs an operation of
confirming the arrangement position of the field coil, the UI
display control unit 11a displays a UI for the arrangement task of
the next field coil (that is, Step 3 is repeated if there is a
plurality of specific field coils to be arranged by the user).
(Step 4) The user inputs determination of the arrangement by
pushing the button in the section SC3 to complete the arrangement
task of the field coil (the UI display control unit 11a closes the
UI screen).
After the above-described steps have been carried out, the
weighting processing unit 11f resets the score of the internal data
group that corresponds to the arrangement position (all internal
data groups if these groups correspond to a plurality of
arrangement positions) of the field coil input by the user. In
other words, the weighting processing unit 11f sets the score of
the internal data group that corresponds to the arrangement
position of the field coil input by the user to Tmax.
For an internal data group not set to Tmax, the weighting
processing unit, 11f resets the score thereof such that more points
are deducted as a magnitude of disarrangement between the internal
data group and the arrangement position of the field coil input by
the user increases. For example, the weighting processing unit 11f
sets the score such that a predetermined number of points (for
example, the score interval d) is deducted per distance R the
internal data group is separated from the arrangement position of
the field coil input by the user. The predetermined number of
points in this embodiment is not limited to the score interval d
and can be arbitrarily set. As one example, when the number of
field coils input by the user is 1, the magnitude of disarrangement
between the internal data group and the arrangement position of
that field coil is divided every distance R and a cumulative number
of the score intervals d that correspond to the divisions that
determine the magnitude of disarrangement is subtracted from Tmax.
For example, when the magnitude of disarrangement is a division
larger than R and equal to or less than 2R, the score of the
internal data group is Tmax-2d.
When the number of field coils input by the user is more than 1,
the cumulative number of the score intervals d is determined from
the magnitudes of disarrangement from each of the field coils and
the average of that cumulative value is subtracted from Tmax. For
example, when the average of deducted points determined from the
disarrangements at the arrangement positions of the field coils is
dav, the score of the internal data group is Tmax-dav. Because one
internal data group represents a combination of field coils, a
plurality of specific field coil arrangements can be realized.
Therefore, a pjurality of scores can be set for one internal data
group and, in this case, the weighting processing unit 11f uses the
highest score for the score of the internal data group.
In this embodiment, the data representing the arrangement position
information in the all arrangement data may be, for example, in the
form of data which consecutively stores information on each field
coil in row-orientated cells in spreadsheet software. Using this
type of data format makes it easy to understand what type of field
coil is arranged at which position from the right edge or the left
edge. In addition, the arrangement position (coordinates) of each
field coil can be easily calculated. For example, the arrangement
position of the field coil for which the arrangement position is to
be calculated can be easily calculated by reading, from the model
information DB 16a, and adding the field coil lengths stored in
each cell from the cell at the end of the row to the cell where the
field coil whose arrangement position is to be calculated is
stored.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiment and modification example and can be changed or modified
in various ways. For example, in the above-described embodiment and
modification example, a specific numerical value such as weight
used for the score set for the internal data group or the weighting
processing can be changed as appropriate to meet a user request or
specifications of a motor that is to undergo selection by the motor
configuration selection device 1 within a scope that does not
deviate from the technical spirit of the invention. Further, the
method of calculating the score can be applied to a motor other
than the linear motor. In the above-described embodiment, coasting
distance of the armature portion may be added to the track length
of the field coil portion to select the motor.
In the above-described embodiment, the motor configuration
selection device 1 includes the model information DB 16a, the
internal data group DB 16b, the weighting score DB 16c, and the
selection result DB 16d, but the motor configuration selection
device 1 is not limited to this configuration in other words, there
may be adopted a configuration in which another device (for
example, a database server) capable of communication over a network
may include all or a part of these databases, and the motor
configuration selection device 1 may access that database via the
network as necessary.
The functions of the motor configuration selection device 1
according to the above-described embodiment can be wholly or partly
implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and
software. In this specification, "implement by software" means
implementing a function through a processor reading and executing a
program. If using hardware, the functions of the motor
configuration selection device 1 can be wholly or partly
implemented by, for example, an integrated circuit (IC) such as an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a gate array, a
field programmable gate array (FPGA), or complex programmable logic
device (CPLD).
If using software, all or some of the functions of the motor
configuration selection device 1 can be implemented by using a
computer including a hard disk that stores a program including all
or some of the operation of the motor configuration selection
device 1, a storage unit such as a ROM, a DRAM that stores data
necessary for computation, a CPU, and a bus to connect those
components to one another to store the data necessary for
computation in the DRAM and operate the program with the CPU.
These programs can be stored and supplied to a computer using
various types of computer readable medium. The computer readable
medium includes various types of tangible storage medium. Examples
of the computer readable medium include a magnetic recording medium
(for example, a flexible disk, magnetic tape, and a hard disk
drive), a magneto-optical recording medium (for example, a
magneto-optical disk), a CD-ROM (read only memory), a CD-R, a
CD-R/W, a digital versatile disk (DVD-ROM), a DVD-R, a DVD-R/W, and
a semiconductor memory (for example, a mask ROM, a programmable ROM
(PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), a flash memory, or a random
access memory (RAM)). These programs may be distributed by being
downloaded to a computer of the user via a network.
An embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail
above, but the above-described embodiment, is merely a specific,
example of embodiment of the present invention and is not intended
to limit the technical scope of the present invention. Various
changes may be made to the present invention without departing from
the spirit thereof, and those changes are also included in the
technical scope of the present invention.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 motor configuration selection device
11 CPU
11a UI display control unit (specifying condition reception
unit)
11b condition setting unit (compatibility condition setting
unit)
11c internal data generation unit (specification information
acquisition unit)
11d. score setting unit (evaluation result acquisition unit)
11e important requirement setting unit (priority setting unit)
11f weighting processing unit (evaluation result compensation
unit)
11g total score calculation unit (candidate presentation unit)
11h arrangement processing unit
11i configuration determination unit
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 input unit
15 display unit
16 storage unit
16a model information database
16b internal data group database
16c weighting score database
16d selection result database
17 communication unit
* * * * *